George Lucas reflected on his career in a speech at Cannes, where he received the prestigious Palme d’Or
George Lucas is back in the spotlight. In a recent and emotional speech at the Cannes Film Festival, the Star Wars icon shared his thoughts on the evolution of the iconic saga following Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm. In the packed Debussy Theater, Lucas offered an inside look at his film career and career.
A vision that is a symbol of a saga
“I’m a stubborn person, and I didn’t want people to tell me how to make my movies,” sums up Lucas, revealing the secret of his success to his many followers. At the age of 80, the legendary filmmaker was awarded the Palme d’Or for his outstanding contribution to cinema at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The audience, made up of an unusually young generation at these events, erupted with joy when they saw him take the stage.
Recalling how he presented his first feature film, THX-1138, at Directors Fortnight in 1971, Lucas described feeling “nostalgic” when he returned to Cannes. Lucas recalled the difficulties he faced in being accompanied by co-writer and sound designer Walter Murch. The premiere in France, even had to sneak into the screening. However, their passion for filmmaking, more than money, motivated them in those early days.
George Lucas and evolution
The Star Wars creator recalled his first steps in the industry, including mentoring Francis Ford Coppola and creating the American Zoetrope. “We weren’t interested in making money, we wanted to make a movie,” Lucas says. Like how American Graffiti fought to make it to the screen, the film was a huge hit despite studio skepticism, grossing $115 million in the United States.
The real turning point came when Alan Ladd Jr., then head of production at Fox, was offered the chance to make a new film after the success of American Graffiti. Lucas proposed the idea of ”1930s-style science fiction” and Star Wars was born.
Star Wars movies under Disney
Lucas He didn’t mince his words when talking about the Star Wars movies that have been made since Lucasfilm sold it to Disney for $4.05 billion in 2012. “A lot of the original ideas are gone,” he said. According to Lucas, the new administration does not fully understand the concept of “power” and other basic elements of the saga.
“I was the one who really knew what Star Wars was… When they started with the new movies, I was able to see a lot of the ideas that were in [el original] They are gone. But that’s how it is. “If you give it to him, hand it over,” he said with a mixture of resignation and nostalgia.
Lucas’s approach to his work
Defending his controversial decisions, Lucas clarified his stance on digital technology’s changes to the original trilogy. “I strongly believe that the director or the writer should have the right to make their film the way they want,” he said. In the year In 1977, he ruled out the possibility of restoring the original 4K version of Star Wars, as the original version, although available on laserdisc, did not meet his viewing requirements.
Lucas also defended the saga’s prequels, saying the negative reaction was due to misinterpreted expectations. “It was a movie for 12-year-olds, a movie for people going through puberty,” he explained, emphasizing that Star Wars has always focused on a young audience looking for answers to life’s big questions.
The initial reception of characters like Jar Jar Binks reminded him of C-3PO’s criticism in the original trilogy. “They all said the same thing about 3-PO, it’s annoying and we have to get rid of it,” he recalled. Lucas has always defended the saga as a children’s film and should continue.
Saga’s legacy and future
Lucas left an indelible mark on cinema and pop culture. Despite ceasing to oversee his most famous creations, he remains an influential voice and respected figure among fans. The reflection at Cannes was not only a nostalgic trip to his past, but also a testament to his creative vision and lasting legacy in the Star Wars universe.
In short, the meeting at Cannes was a window into the soul of George Lucas, giving fans and critics a chance to reflect on cinema’s most beloved sagas of the past, present and future.